Clock Ensemble Algorithm Test in the Establishment of Space-Based Time Reference

A new concept of a space-based synchronized reference network is proposed with the development an optical frequency and laser inter-satellite link. To build such time reference, three clock ensemble algorithms, namely natural Kalman timescale (NKT) algorithm, reduced (RKT) two-stage (TKT) algorithm are considered. This study analyzes compares performance these algorithms using BDS, GPS, Galileo satellite data from GFZ GNSS corrections, which will be used in constructing future references. The shows that NKT improves stability by 0.1–0.2 orders magnitude short medium term. When mostly hydrogen clock, RKT close, medium-term slightly increases. In contrast, TKT produces 1–3 magnitude. quadratic polynomial model predicts timescales, results indicating short-term prediction accuracy within 1ns, algorithm’s 1–2 higher than algorithms. With deployment next-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites equipped higher-precision clocks, system achieve improved greater potential for practical applications.